U.S. Government Wants Meth Dealer's Comic Collection

An accused meth dealer with a comic problem may have to forfeit his very large and very valuable collection to the U.S. government.

30-year-old Aaron Castro has a bad habit. It's not methamphetamine; that's just business. No, Aaron's bitch is something far more insidious, and also a far better bet as a long-term investment: comic books. He owns a collection of nearly 19,000 books, valued at more than $500,000, and all if it is probably going to end up in the hands of the U.S. government.

Federal prosecutors have filed a complaint seeking ownership of Castro's massive collection, which they say was purchased with funds acquired through drug sales. But he didn't just pop down to the store to pick up the occasional issue of Superman. According to one dealer named in the government filing, Castro had a serious monkey on his back.

"Gwinn [Castro's underling] said that Aaron began to struggle with money because he would spend his drug money on comic books," the complaint reads."Gwinn would meet Aaron at comic book stores to give him the drug money and had seen Aaron buy a box of comic books."

A second dealer, who said he helped Castro organize his books, confirmed that they were bought with "drug proceeds." Castro goes on trial for narcotics distribution and weapons charges in May.

So let this be a lesson to you, kids. Wash your hands and dry them thoroughly before handling your comics. Keep them flat, and store them in Mylar bags with acid-free boards. And don't deal meth.